40 Questions Blog Series – Question 22 What should I name mycraft/art business?


Loosing yourself in creating amazing works of art is easy, but finding theperfect name for your business... not as easy. The perfect namemight come to you quickly yet others will find it could take weeks toa month. It is possible that while you are happy with your currentbusiness name now, you might find that as your work evolves yourbusiness name needs to change. Instead of listing all the thingsyou need to keep in mind when choosing a business name, here's somebad examples (made up names of course) of business names with help tofind the best name for your business.


Question 22 – What should I name my craft/art business?


Bad Example #1 Kathy's Kountry Kandles Whenever you find misspelledwords in a title or business name, do you think how cute or can'tthey spell country correctly? When I see something misspelled likeKountry or Fone (for phone) it sends a message the company probablycuts corners or is fake as in imitation Krab meat vs. true Crab meat.Now before people start sending me hate mail, I do get it that it iscommon with primitive type art/crafts. Do realize if you do go inthis direction, you might find naming your business in this mattercan be a turn off.


Bad Example #2 John Wise Art Studio. Incorporating your own name intoyour business name is a good thing, however ask yourself will yourcustomers understand what your medium is based on the name “JohnWise Art Studio”? Some might find the name to reflect an actualstudio that people can take art classes in or that you sell artsupplies. To fix this dilemma, include your medium in the name forexample “John Wise Glass Studio” or “John Wise Photography”.


Bad Example #3 Dress Barn. For some reason I am having a hard timethinking of an example of this, but realized when I saw “DressBarn” I thought – how awful that name is. It makes me think of“fashion” for farmers (sorry farmers) or dresses for overweightwomen. What I am trying to say use a name that shouldn't have anegative connotation as well as something you want to stand by, notbe embarrassed. by.


Bad Example #4 Jive Jewels. While back in the 1970's this might becool, but will anyone today get what “Jive Jewels” is all about?Make sure whatever you name your business it is something that willstand the tests of time and people of any generation will get it.


While there are other examples I could give the one that I think trumpsthem all is this. Make your name your own, unique, and easy toremember.


I took a risk changing my business name from Grammy's Country Collectiblesto By the Bay Botanicals over one year ago. At the time the old nameworked, my products were inspired by my great grandma and thecollectibles was something that I thought would work as my linesexpanded. What I didn't realize is that it made by business seem oldfashioned and never told folks what it is I sold. When the name Bythe Bay Botanicals was born, I wanted it to signify something aboutwhere I work/live – the Chesapeake Bay, sound relaxing, as well astell customers the business has something botanicals or flowers too.


Are you having trouble naming your business? Thought about changing yourbusiness name or have changed your business name? Share your storyand add your two cents on this subject. Thanks for reading!Michelle Sholund – www.quickcraftartisttips.blogspot.com

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  • I'm in the midst of the great naming debate myself. When I initially chose Spice of Life Designs - it was intentionally broad. I was producing photography, handbags, and jewelry - with an eclectic style. Now that I've decided to focus solely on jewelry, I'm debating whether to keep Spice of Life Designs or simply go by my given name. The spice part also has personal meaning, and when I explain why I chose that for my business name it does give me a connection to my customers - BUT it makes for a stinkin' long url since I had to add online at the end! What to do....what to do.... Not an easy choice, but one I need to make here shortly so that I don't waste promotion efforts on a name if I'm not going to keep using it.
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